I have to say, our society doesn't inculcate the habit reading as much as we should. Little anecdote about me - as a child, I devoured every book I laid my hands on. I'd peruse school book fairs in Primary School (even though my mother wouldn't give me extra pocket money to buy any) and as I got older I started making trips to the library by myself. It started out from easy reads - The Baby-sitters Club, Sweet Valley High, Roald Dahl, and as I grew older, my taste in books started getting a little more serious. Till today, the library is my constant happy place - I could spend hours there just by myself.
Admittedly, I am more inclined to reading fiction. I enjoy being being transported to different universes and worlds that span across time periods. Over time, I've started dipping my toes in non-fiction, finding value in a genre that isn't typically appreciated by my younger self. Here are some books that have enriched my mind, opening up my window to the world in a way that nothing else can.
Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari
I know, heavy title right? If you're put off by jargons and history, do not be deterred. Sapiens is essentially a book that is about ourselves - it asks us how, what and why. It approaches intimidating questions into palatable facts, helping us understand humankind and the universe a little more. It also answers our most urgent questions - what comes before us, and what comes after? It's not a book that you'll be able to binge over one weekend, so it's best to pace yourself for better comprehension.
Born a Crime - Trevor Noah
If self-help or history books aren't your thing, try memoirs. Do not dismiss Born a Crime as just another celebrity biography - it is really as good as they say. I deep dived into Noah's book with little to no knowledge of the apartheid and finished it feeling satisfied and nostalgic for a live that I didn't live. The memories of his childhood are vivid and wholesome, and Noah didn't spare any of the gory details. He somehow manages to weave humour into his stories which can be hard to swallow, while providing us firsthand experience about his growing up years in South Africa that is unique to only him.
So You Want to Talk About Race - Ijeoma Oluo
Conversations about race is always a fragile subject to maneuver, especially at this day and age. However, these conversations are way past due and I'm glad that it's happening now, more than ever.
In Oluo's book, she explains how racism is deeply rooted into the system, the explosion of Black Lives Matter and how to navigate these conversations, no matter how difficult they are. Some pointers from Oluo's book teaches us how to be better allies, and one way to fight racism is to learn how entrenched it is into societies as well as governments.
As daunting as the themes above may present, do not be deterred. Non-fiction give you a deeper understanding of topics that interest you, or topics that may not interest you at all. For a start, pick a topic that genuinely excites you for motivation and hopefully steer you in the right direction. Check out our link below for a comprehensive and curated guide by our PIF bookworms, inclusive of a fun quiz that'll help us get to know you better. Good luck and happy reading!
